26 Pairs of Eyes

In 1739, the London Foundling Hospital – the UK’s first children’s charity – opened in response to the rising number of youngsters abandoned in the capital. The Foundling Museum captures the history and times of the charity and holds thousands of objects related to it and its charges. The 26 Pairs of Eyes exhibition displayed writers’ impressions of 26 exhibits next to the objects themselves. Rebecca Dowman’s piece, Handel’s gifts, focuses on the last will and testament of George Frideric Handel, a great benefactor of the hospital.